National Association of Social Workers, Washington Chapter
Position Paper for 2011 Legislative Session
SUPPORT SOCIAL WORK TITLE PROTECTION
NASW WA Chapter advocates that the term Social Workerbe limited to professionals who attain a BASW or MSW degree from accredited Schools of Social Work. Individuals not meeting this standard are prohibited from identifying themselves as professional social workers. Title protection for Social Work professionalswill protect public safety, ensure quality of care andprotect the integrity of the profession. Key stakeholders include NASW, the social work community and human service organizations.
BACKGROUND
HB1043 and SB5020 (2011 Legislation), sponsored by Rep. Tina Orwell (D-33) and Sen. Ed Murray (D-43) respectively, were introduced on behalf of NASW Washington state chapter. The bill will regulate who can call themselves a Social Worker without a social work degree and currently employed in social work job titled positions.
SB 5020 reflects collaborative work of NASW, social work advocates and Legislators to address areas of concerns and remove barriers to enact legislation. This issue continues to be the NASW professional practice priority for 2011.
A legislative approach willstandardize and protect the profession of social work throughout the State, without limiting protection to individuals in state-funded positions. The public is more effectively served by having clear definitions for social worker practitioners with specialized education that adhere to a National Social Work Code of Ethic and followed proven social work standards.
ACTION: Urge your Legislators to support Title Protection for Social Workers. WHY?
Consumer protection: Title Protection ensuressocial work practitioners are professionally trained,educatedand provides a safeguard against sub-standard services from individuals who have not achieved a social work degree.
Ethics: Degreed Social Workers are bound by the National Association of Social Work Code of Ethics, setting professional standards for service delivery and provide for a peer review process.
Specialized Education: Degreed Social Workers are uniquely educated to work holistically with vulnerable, diverse groups and communities,impacted by environmental factors.
Precedence: Forty-five states have laws that prohibit the use of the title social worker to describe anyone who does not hold a social work degree from an accredited program.
Job Retention: Studies published by the General Accounting Office in 2002 indicate that child welfare workers are more likely to stay at their jobs beyond two years when they have completed a social work education program, providing stability for clients and reducing overall costs in the human services system.
Public Trust: The public has a right to receive services from degreed social work practitioners with specialized education emphasizing strengths-based, systems approaches and advocacy for high risk, marginalized and vulnerable populations.
Last revised 01/06/11 cyc
NASW/Washington State Chapter Mission Statement
Washington State Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers is a membership organization of 2,500 social workers state-wide, with a dual mission of enhancing the profession of social work and promoting diversity, inclusion and social justice. For more information, see the NASW/WA website ( or contact Exec. Director Hoyt Suppes (), 206-706-7084